Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description:
Shield AI is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager to lead execution within the XBAT organization. This role is responsible for driving cross-functional integration, technical execution, demonstration readiness, and program coordination across a fast-paced autonomous aircraft development effort.
This position is intentionally geared toward highly technical leaders who bring deep aerospace systems experience and are capable of operating effectively across flight sciences, vehicle integration, aerostructures, autonomy, test, and operations teams. The ideal candidate combines strong engineering intuition with disciplined program execution and thrives in environments where rapid iteration, systems integration, and flight demonstration timelines intersect.
This role will serve as a key integrator across engineering and program functions, helping align technical execution with demonstration objectives, risk reduction activities, and operational milestones.
What you'll do:
- Lead day-to-day execution of the Hopper Demonstration Program across engineering, integration, flight test, and operations stakeholders
- Drive integrated program planning, technical coordination, and execution tracking across multiple subsystem teams
- Coordinate activities spanning flight controls, aero/performance, aerostructures, avionics, autonomy, software, and vehicle integration
- Partner closely with engineering leads to identify technical risks, integration gaps, and critical path dependencies
- Support development and execution of demonstration campaigns, flight readiness activities, and test event planning
- Facilitate technical reviews, milestone assessments, configuration reviews, and executive program updates
- Drive cross-functional alignment between design, manufacturing, integration, test, and operational teams
- Help mature systems integration processes, demonstration workflows, and execution rigor across the program
- Track and communicate program status, technical risks, mitigation plans, and schedule impacts to leadership
- Support rapid problem solving and decision-making in dynamic development and flight test environments
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline
- 8+ years of experience in aerospace, unmanned systems, autonomous systems, or advanced aircraft development programs
- Strong technical background in one or more of the following:
- Flight controls
- Aerodynamics / flight sciences
- Vehicle integration
- Systems engineering
- Aerostructures
- Flight test
- Experience working on complex integrated aerospace systems or unmanned aircraft platforms
- Demonstrated experience coordinating cross-functional technical teams and driving execution across subsystem boundaries
- Strong understanding of systems integration, technical risk management, and development lifecycle execution
- Ability to communicate effectively with highly technical engineering teams as well as executive leadership
- Strong organizational, leadership, and decision-making skills
- U.S. Person status required due to export control regulations
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience supporting aircraft demonstration programs or rapid prototyping efforts
- Prior experience in unmanned systems, autonomy, VTOL, or advanced mobility platforms
- Experience operating in fast-paced development or flight test organizations
- Familiarity with model-based systems engineering (MBSE), requirements management, or configuration management processes
- Experience with integrated flight test planning and execution
- Prior technical leadership transitioning into program management or technical program leadership roles
- Active U.S. security clearance
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Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.